Ming Style Half Table From Shanxi Province – Early 19th Century

This antique Chinese half table is from Shanxi province and dates to the early 19th century. It has a concealed drawer and is crafted from northern elm wood (yumu). It has a beautiful patina from over a century & a half of use. 

This table is made in the Ming style but dates to the later Qing dynasty. It is from Shanxi province and would originally have been coated with a dark burgundy lacquer. Much of this has worn away but traces still remain on the legs.

Half tables (半桌 Bàn zhuō) have existed in China since before the Ming dynasty but rose to prominence in the Qing dynasty. Half tables were often made in pairs and used butting to square tables for additional space for dining. Half tables were incredibly versatile and used for serving food & wine, but also as standalone tables in the home. Note that a half table is defined by its depth being less than half its width. A wine table is usually at least as deep as it is wide. Hence the terms often being interchangeable.

Dimensions:

102 x 50 x 85 (wxdxh cms)

From China

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